Boone a deep cut

You hear it a lot in the NFL in regards to the comings and goings of players.

Yesterday, the Chargers made one of those cuts that hurt when they released defensive end Alfonso Boone.

“That one is tough,” Norv Turner said. “Our (decision) wasn’t based on Alfonso or where we are on the defensive line. It is just we’ve got so many areas in the kicking game … and at linebacker and in the secondary where we brought in three or four players. We brought in five players in the last two weeks to try to shore up some situations. So, that was a hard one. Alfonso has been great for us.”

Boone was signed the second week of the 2009 season to help shore up an injury-riddled line. The 10-year veteran ended up not only playing better than expected but being credited by his fellow linemen for creating cohesion. Boone had a longstanding policy of not talking to the media, but he shared with teammates his vast experience during practices, games and in the tight knit line’s times away from the field. The Chargers still have seven defensive linemen.

“Boone is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” end Jacques Cesaire said. “You can’t replace that type of leadership ... It was sad to hear that this morning.”

Carter chooses Chargers

Safety Tyrone Carter, the man who took Boone’s roster spot, had been out of work since being cut by the Washington Redskins on Sept. 4. But he found himself in high demand as injuries hit various teams.

After the Chargers called earlier this week, so did the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts. And while the Packers system is more similar to the one he played in the past six seasons in Pittsburgh, he believed he could assimilate quickly in San Diego.

“I’m a firm believer in once I make a decision, go with it,” Carter said yesterday after his first practice as a Charger.

Carter is expected to play strong safety and on special teams. He is aware that Steve Gregory returns after his four-game banned substance suspension and the Chargers will then have six safeties.

“I wanted the opportunity to show I can still play,” said Carter, 34. “… Two weeks, four weeks, I want the opportunity.”

The silver and black

The Raiders have the second-worst record in the NFL since the start of the 2003 season, at 30-86 one game better than the Detroit Lions. Going into Sunday’s game in Oakland, the Chargers have beaten them 13 straight times, tied for the NFL’s longest current losing streak by one team to another.

But there is still a mystique.

“I grew up in Los Angeles,” Chargers linebacker Kevin Burnett. “So, the Raiders are close to me. Legendary. It is legendary. I mean, I don’t know that you could find one kid that that hasn’t once at one point in time put on a Raider uniform or wanted to wear black and silver.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Louis Vasquez, his left knee wrapped and in a brace, worked on a “limited” basis Wednesday. The initial prognosis after Vasquez tore his MCL Sept. 26 in Seattle was that he would miss as least two weeks, and he still might. Said Turner: “He is doing well with the recovery … We will see where he is at tomorrow after going out and taking some snaps.”

• Inside linebacker Brandon Siler did not practice Wednesday. It is believed he will play Sunday.